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Plant-based Diet -- Why and How?

Writer's picture: Shelley NgShelley Ng

In the past 6 years, I have been reducing my intake of meat because I started to feel a stronger connection with nature. I became increasingly aware of the environmental impact of my diet. After some trial and error, I am excited to share some of my tips on reducing meat intake.


Why?

The recent Netflix production A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough is a powerful documentary that summarizes the importance and urgency of eating less meat. Intensive animal agriculture uses water, land, other resources and lead to pollution and disease. Currently the global livestock industry is responsible for nearly 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and is the largest user of land resources, driving unsustainable practices such as deforestation that fuels mass biodiversity loss. A plant-based diet increases the yield of the land to restore biodiversity. According to the documentary, half of the fertile land on Earth is now farmland, 70% of birds are domestic. WWF found 12,000 species per year could be saved if livestock production was reduced by 50%if people cut their annual meat consumption by 50%.


How?

Switching to a plant-based diet involves trial and error as it means a change in eating habits. Adaptation to new diet may take time, and it can be less convenient if you and your family members have different diet.


Where to start?

-Let’s start by taking only what we need and actively try to reduce intake as much as possible

-Eat less red meat

-Commit to a vegetarian day per week

-Find alternative proteins, such as tofu and beans, swap to nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, flavorful vegetarian pasta, vegan yoghurt

-Explore vegetarian recipes, be open-minded and creative

-Make fresh fruits and vegetables a bigger part of your diet

-Buy sustainable or organic produce whenever possible

-Try vegetarian options when you eat out. They may taste much better than you think!


Recommendations

If you don't know where to start with, these are two sources of recipes that I love whenever I need some inspiration in plant-based dishes.


Hannah was my classmate at Rice University. I was wowed by how she started her Instagram on plant-based recipes then went viral. She is such a multitalented musician and chef! If you like Asian recipes, this is the channel you should follow!


Follow her on Instagram: @hannah__chia




I have been following this channel for at least three years now. Sadia is a dietitian so she has a lot of useful tips on making delicious and nutritious vegan food. I love her aesthetics and energy, and I am always excited to see her new recipes!


Follow her on Instagram: @pickuplimes




It is actually fun and refreshing to explore new recipes. Hope you will enjoy exploring new options in your diet too!


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